How Do I Know Which Type of Crown Is Best?

Choosing a Dental Prosthetic for Your Needs

Your natural teeth are the hardest substances in your body, even more so than bones. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t crack, fracture, deteriorate, or fall out from time to time.

In these situations, your dentist will likely recommend restoring the impacted tooth with a dental crown — a tooth-shaped dental prosthetic that’s designed to protect the remnants of your tooth while correcting its function and appearance.

Dental crowns are the ideal restoration option because they act like your natural teeth, and with modern technological advances, the only thing people will notice is a healthy, complete smile.

If you’re interested in learning more about dental crowns, Dr. Douglas Wirth is an expert implant and general dentist who’s completed hundreds of crowning procedures for his patients in Oak Harbor, WA. He’ll make sure that you feel confident when choosing your treatment.

The Benefits of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns offer an assortment of advantages that assist your smile, including:

• They look like natural teeth. Crowns are designed and manufactured in dental laboratories from detailed impressions of your teeth. Advanced equipment and techniques allow lab technicians to create stunning replicas in about two weeks.
• They’re quick, easy, and painless to place. After the dental lab sends your dentist the crown, they can place it in just one pain-free visit.
• They’re durable. Depending on the type of crown you choose, the strength varies. However, all dental crowns provide a stable, functional addition to any smile.
• They’re made to last. Depending on how well you take care of them and the amount of wear and tear, your crown could last upwards of 15 years.

The Best Types of Dental Crowns

Over the years, dentists have used an array of materials to try and create the ideal treatment. However, which material is best depends on your needs.

Maybe you’re not worried about the aesthetics as much and want to focus on durability. Or, perhaps you’d rather have an all-ceramic crown instead of a metal one. Whatever your reason, choose a crown that fulfills your requirements.

The most common types of crowns include:

• All-Ceramic — These are excellent for restoring front teeth and are made from materials such as porcelain or zirconia.
• Porcelain-Fused to Metal (PFM) — This crown combines the strength of metal and porcelain to provide durability and aesthetics.
• All-Metal — These are great for restoring back teeth and won’t chip or deteriorate.

If you’re curious about the various types of dental crowns, Dr. Jeffery Platt can answer your questions. He’s a member of numerous prestigious dental organizations such as the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and he also created a new crown that leaves the healthy portion of your tooth intact.

Which Crown Best Fits Your Needs?

The type of crown you choose should reflect your lifestyle and meet all of your requirements.

Do you care about aesthetics?

In some situations, the aesthetics of your restoration might not matter. However, if the concerned tooth is visible when you smile, your dentist will advise against using an all-metal restoration because they’re typically gold or silver and won’t blend well with the rest of your smile.

The most attractive solution is the all-ceramic option because porcelain and zirconia are tooth-colored materials that share the same translucency as the rest of your smile. These metal-free solutions also react to light the same way your teeth do, meaning your smile will look natural from any angle.

Some patients prefer all-ceramic crowns because they’re metal-free. If you live near Miami, FL, Dr. Theodore Herrmann is an experienced dentist who swears by Zirconia crowns and implants. He’ll create a stunning restoration that will last for many years to come.

Is durability your main focus?

While all crowns are durable substitutes for natural teeth, some would be better for areas of your mouth that see the most action, such as your molars.

All-ceramic restorations look nice, but porcelain and zirconia can fracture, causing the crown to fail. Porcelain-fused to metal retains the aesthetics of your smile, but even with the metal structure supporting the porcelain, it can still chip or crack.

For the most reliable and durable option, your dentist will likely choose an all-metal restoration. This solution won’t chip or crack, and it’s immune to decay. If the tooth in question is a molar or one of the teeth that you primarily use for chewing, then this is the ideal way to achieve unyielding results.

Are you looking for a balanced restoration?

If you don’t want to sacrifice aesthetics for durability or vice versa, your dentist will use the crown that’s stood the test of time — porcelain-fused to metal. This restoration is an elegant balance between strength and beauty, meaning your smile will gain from all of the benefits that dental crowns offer.

The Best Option Is Up to You

You know your smile and desires better than anyone else, but that doesn’t mean your dentist can’t help. If you have a tooth that is severely damaged by decay or trauma, ask them about your treatment options.

Remember to be transparent and let them know precisely what you hope to gain from treatment (e.g., aesthetics, longevity, durability). That way, they can help you select the restoration that best fits your needs, and you can get back to eating your favorite foods and smiling without concern.